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""alternator bracket oil leak"""

18K views 59 replies 15 participants last post by  bayerisheteknik 
#1 · (Edited)
http://i48.tinypic.com/jts4qs.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i47.tinypic.com/34efhid.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i46.tinypic.com/jqkdg9.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i46.tinypic.com/206dbiv.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i45.tinypic.com/2nk5ugx.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i49.tinypic.com/2wqxsld.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i48.tinypic.com/11maxqa.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i48.tinypic.com/23gzjfa.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i47.tinypic.com/szv0xy.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]http://i50.tinypic.com/15h038w.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]Hello everyone...
last week picked up 02 e65 with 120k miles...car is in pristine condition in and out...owner stated that his so called""bmw specialist"" has replaced alternator and t shaped gasket,so i took his word for it and my mistake...since it was raining that day i couldn't see any leaks and after scanning the car there were no present or pending fault codes except rear brake pads wore down to minimum...already ordered high perf drilled/slotter rotors fr and back with new pads...brought the car home and first thing in the morning i see oil leak on driver side...already knew its the alternator bracket oil leak:mad:
so instead of waxing and cleaning the flagship i started taking everything apart come to find out that guy has chipped of the water pump pulley,broken off radiator blade and few bolts missing.(will post pics and video later)...
ordered parts from dealer including newly rebuilt alternator 1130 plus tax and send my girlfriend pick up all the parts....including oil/filter...coolant..fan..pulley...she came home and baaam guy gave her air cooled alternator..called him back he said he made a mistake so ordered thewater cooled this time and only charged us 700 :)
and today i am putting everything together.....
the threads on this forum helped a lot...since i only specialize in inline 6 and wasn't sure how this is going to go but its not that bad even if you don't have engine hoist or bmw special hoist....i will post pics and videos down the road...but for now all you need to do is release the driver side motor mount don't need to realease the passenger side,drop the powersteering pump but don't disconnect and put jack lift under the engine and lower/raise the engine it self depending on which bolt you are trying to remove from motor mount...be sure to put enough force so the torx socket is not going to slip after motor mount is out there is 17 or 16mm bolt holding the bracket and after that bolt is out bracket is out.....took me about 3 hrs to do it in my garage and by 3 hrs i mean just disassembly....after that washing all the parts from oil and cheking for leaks if any present but engine looks like new so thats good news....job itself is very easy and i couldn't believe dealer wanted to charge around 4k or more....gasket costs 1.40...
just take your time and its pretty forward to do even if you are not that technically inclined...
to me it doesn't make any sense why would anyone put a 2 small holes in the block that are hardly used here in states only used in gulf as oil cooling option but i guess designer didn't have anything better to do.....hopefully his kids are not working for bmw:)

hopefully ill get it done today....so in couple days ill post pix and videos

saturday installing brakes...last night bought staggered 20's with new tires for 500:) so i should have the flagship on the road by monday..and finally enjoy her....

good day
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Well I don't know weather to congratulate you or "PRAY" for you. To buy a 7 series with worn down pads, bolts missing an chipped water pump is enough for me to "RUN" as fast as I can in the opposite direction:yikes:. As for oil leaking....well... maybe you could have let that slide :dunno:. Your next worries would be that it's a 02, which was the 1st year they switch over to the E65, E66 body style. With that being said it is important to get that car with "ZERO" issues at time of purchase. Its apparent the previous owner(s) did NOT take good care of it based on what you said. If I were you I would be checking, actually replacing valve cover gaskets, Timing case gaskets, CCV, plugs, spark plug tubes, bushings, trans flush, check battery sense your already messing with the alternator, oil an all filters. Then go from there. There is tons of info on here which I see you are aware of. I wish you the best. Welcome to the fest.:D
 
#5 ·
thank you...i am not worried about the car...i scanned everything with my genesis tech force scanner and everything is good...history on the car was excellent until the last owner...he bought it not even a year ago and couldn't afford the repairs so he was trying to get rid off it and of course covered up the alternator oil leak and his specialist has done little damage to few parts...already have all new parts..good thing it started leaking the next day this way i am going over everything and fixing it....
transmission is smooth and strong but i will change the filter and fluid and check all the solenoids...my 02 525i with steptronic had 192xxx miles when i sold it for 9500 cash and tranny was mechanically perfect...only issue was trans fail safe but i found the problem to be egs not tranny it self after trouble shooting the solenoids,checking all the wires from and to egs and tranny and ground wires....after egs problem it shifted perfect not one dtc and talked to owner who bought it from me and he is happy with the e39....brakes are nothing plus i rather have drilled/slotted rotors than oem ones...they should arrive tommorow....there's one problem with logic amp one side of speakers is crackling but i will fix it my self...electronics is my specialty plus worse case scenario there are few on ebay for good prices....
suspension,bushing,balljoints are like new....timing chain covers were done and vcg were done too....so hopefully no more problems down the road and if they arise only thing i can do is fix em.....

good day
 
#7 ·
I have this job planned for when I get back home in a couple of weeks. As well as cyl 5-8 valve cover gasket. Did 1-4 last month. Hopefully 5-8 should be a bit easier.
I was gonna jack the motor up with a trolley jack as I don't have an engine lift either.
Did you have to remove the anti roll bar completely or just slacken off the mounts and tie it out the way?
I have dynamic drive but was just planning on taking the mounts off and tying the roll bar out the way.
Keep up the good work. I shall be watching this post with interest!!
 
#8 · (Edited)
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btw how is your leak? is it bad or just dribbles slowly?
congratulations on vcg job....
i have a dynamic drive too but i just removed it with anti roll bar and tied it with zip ties and same thing with power steering pump......its not complicated just takes a little time for the first time as you try to figure out the best and easiest way to do it with out engine hoist and special tools.....actually i had a guy give me a hand since i was under the car and he was under the fender driver side turning the ratchet and i was holding the extension with e torx socket....those 4 motor mount torx bolts are the worst because if the socket slips then you have problems....i think its better if you have someone help you when removing those 4 bolts....i will try to post more pics and videos later on...good luck with your project coming up in few weeks...i am also interested and will watch your progress...good day
 
#12 ·
operation """oil leak""

hello everyone...

so gasket has been replaced...assembly went with out complications....operation went well...:)

topped off all the fluids...fresh oil change....powersteering fluid...coolant...and no leaks...
also new drilled/slotted rotors with fresh pads finishing today....
key fob lock/trunk and panic is working but unlock is not so will have to take it apart and take a look at it.......dealer wants 278 for new one!!!
and then taking out L7 amp and taking it apart trying to fix it....
also ordered 5 watt 7000k angel eyes bulbs should be delivered by friday....
ordered new floor mats...new driver side door brake and door sill trim....
i think flagship should be on the road by next monday...after wash and wax job

also anyone has experience with falken fk 452 tires?

good day

funny think is i haven't even driven the flagship brought it home and next day oil leak :confused:

im working on detailed video and pix about this oil leak...http://i49.tinypic.com/4kwdu9.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
http://i50.tinypic.com/2lc39sn.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
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#13 ·
hello everyone...

so gasket has been replaced...assembly went with out complications....operation went well...:)

topped off all the fluids...fresh oil change....powersteering fluid...coolant...and no leaks...
also new drilled/slotted rotors with fresh pads finishing today....
key fob lock/trunk and panic is working but unlock is not so will have to take it apart and take a look at it.......dealer wants 278 for new one!!!
and then taking out L7 amp and taking it apart trying to fix it....
also ordered 5 watt 7000k angel eyes bulbs should be delivered by friday....
ordered new floor mats...new driver side door brake and door sill trim....
i think flagship should be on the road by next monday...after wash and wax job

also anyone has experience with falken fk 452 tires?

good day

funny think is i haven't even driven the flagship brought it home and next day oil leak :confused:

im working on detailed video and pix about this oil leak...http://i49.tinypic.com/4kwdu9.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
http://i50.tinypic.com/2lc39sn.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
http://i50.tinypic.com/25uqjyd.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
http://i50.tinypic.com/10gb8m0.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
Excellent work my man!:thumbup::D
 
#20 ·
thanks... btw i bought mine from r1concepts.com

they have great prices.....i got 4 rotors....pads front/back...harware...all for 370...plus free shipping delivered in 2 days:thumbup:

i would call them and they give you discount.....i was supposed to pay 470 and he got it down to 370....complete package

paid 500 for the rims with new falken tires....thanks god for CL

anyways good luck with a upcoming project....
 
#16 ·
Yes I still do.. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I believe the solder came loose or is coming loose that why I it works on occasions.
 
#17 ·
I do believe there is a DIY on how to repair the key here somewhere.
 
#26 ·
I think his are custom made with a 5 or 6" lip. Very Nice I seem them in person.
 
#31 · (Edited)
here is update....took the flagship for first long drive today.....everything is perfect....no leaks oil or coolant...engine is dry like it just came of showroom floor even though it has 120k miles:)...scanned it no dtc no pending dtc...

also replaced rotors and pads but was trying to reuse the old pad sensors....well the red warning appeared for brakes...so had to buy new sensors and erased the brake service and everything is perfect.....

ride quality on 20's is good but not as smooth as with 18's....but who cares looks good and handles better....

btw anyone has 20 or 30 mm spacers for sale??? don't really like how the rear wheels fill out the fender wells....

waxed the car too....only few things left...need to order door brake for left door and door trim for driver side....also fix the unlock button on keyless....
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#34 ·
Hello mate...which part of UK are you from?
yes i used my jack that i positioned under where powersteering pump was held on the block...ill include a pic
so this way you can raise/lower the engine when you start to remove the rear torx bolts..
best acces to those two is to take off the driver wheel and acces them that way...you will have to lower/raise engine to get to each one of those...be sure to use a lots of force the first time(very easy to strip the bolts)....you can use you mate to give you a hand to hold the extension on the bolt and you just turn the ratchet...i'll include some pics
i used 1/2 inch ratchet,extensions,and flexible joint...on the joint i used some electrical tape to make it little stiffer
let us know how it all goes and good luck
im making a video on youtube...step by step DIY for alternator bracket oil leak...so folks like us can fix it at home instead of paying lots of hard earned money to dealxx

http://i47.tinypic.com/2h4cg92.jpg[/IMG]"]Image and video hosting by TinyPic[/URL]
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#37 · (Edited)
Well was going well this morning. Only 1 more torx bolt to come out. It's a royal PIA the fwd most top one. Even managed to drop my T12 socket down the back of the bracket. Now have to go buy another one. Only way to get it back is to remove the cover. Unbelievable!!
Dunno whether to tackle this from Above or below. Off out to the tool store for now.
 
#38 ·
so is it standard practice to replace the alt while doing this? is it necessary? or is it just the gasket that needs to be replaced?
 
#43 · (Edited)
Yup cheers bud. After I came back from the tool store and had another look I got it out. All back on now. Was a mess under there. I'll post pics up. Decided to whip off the valve cover gasket while the power steering pump and tank is still out. Should have everything back together more or less tomorrow. Just the transmission to do next week and car is perfect again.
Off to drink lots of beer and chill now. Thanks again for your tips.

 
#44 ·
Yup cheers bud. After I came back from the tool store and had another look I got it out. All back on now. Was a mess under there. I'll post pics up. Decided to whip off the valve cover gasket while the power steering pump and tank is still out. Should have everything back together more or less tomorrow. Just the transmission to do next week and car is perfect again.
Off to drink lots of beer and chill now. Thanks again for your tips.
congrats...mate:thumbup:

btw what are you doing on tranny?? fluid/filter?? thats what i have to do now too

post some pix too if you can ehh

salute!!
 
#49 ·
Help

hey im in the process of doing my oil leak. i am stuck at the point of removing the 4 bolts on the motor mount/bracket....i got the 2 bolts up front out but the rear 2 seem impossible.....any tips would be great help... i did not remove anything from the drivers wheel side. only underneath.:mad: i removed the alternator and the power steering pump... and the alternator bracket bolts are off. i just need to loosen/take out the 2 torx bolts on the motor mount and im stuck :mad::mad::mad:

btw how is your leak? is it bad or just dribbles slowly?
congratulations on vcg job....
i have a dynamic drive too but i just removed it with anti roll bar and tied it with zip ties and same thing with power steering pump......its not complicated just takes a little time for the first time as you try to figure out the best and easiest way to do it with out engine hoist and special tools.....actually i had a guy give me a hand since i was under the car and he was under the fender driver side turning the ratchet and i was holding the extension with e torx socket....those 4 motor mount torx bolts are the worst because if the socket slips then you have problems....i think its better if you have someone help you when removing those 4 bolts....i will try to post more pics and videos later on...good luck with your project coming up in few weeks...i am also interested and will watch your progress...good day[/QUOTE]
 
#51 ·
hey im in the process of doing my oil leak. i am stuck at the point of removing the 4 bolts on the motor mount/bracket....i got the 2 bolts up front out but the rear 2 seem impossible.....any tips would be great help... i did not remove anything from the drivers wheel side. only underneath.:mad: i removed the alternator and the power steering pump... and the alternator bracket bolts are off. i just need to loosen/take out the 2 torx bolts on the motor mount and im stuck :mad::mad::mad:

btw how is your leak? is it bad or just dribbles slowly?
congratulations on vcg job....
i have a dynamic drive too but i just removed it with anti roll bar and tied it with zip ties and same thing with power steering pump......its not complicated just takes a little time for the first time as you try to figure out the best and easiest way to do it with out engine hoist and special tools.....actually i had a guy give me a hand since i was under the car and he was under the fender driver side turning the ratchet and i was holding the extension with e torx socket....those 4 motor mount torx bolts are the worst because if the socket slips then you have problems....i think its better if you have someone help you when removing those 4 bolts....i will try to post more pics and videos later on...good luck with your project coming up in few weeks...i am also interested and will watch your progress...good day
[/QUOTE]

try to remove the driver side wheel and go in there from side...raise/lower engine and just use extensions with flexible joint..thats how i did it
 
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